Page 50 of Killian
Renny bowed and ran off after Kaedan.
“Do not worry, we will find your platter later,” Killian said. “Now, take my hand so you do not get lost. I will introduce you around, then I have my duties to attend to. I will ensure you have a seat nearby.”
Gingerly, Dravyn lifted his arm, and an overwhelming sense of peace settled in him as Killian’s fingers slid over his skin. The druid laced their fingers. His dragon roared with delight. Despite how impossible it seemed for a dragon Duke who’d spent his entire life as a servant to find himself paired with Killian the Dwyer, it was beginning to feel as if Fate had not made a mistake.
Plenty of obstacles lay ahead, but Dravyn wanted to be brave enough to discover if he could be a mate to Killian. First, he had to find the courage to survive a night in Killian’s world—one of magick and many, many people.
Chapter 19
With his hand nestled in Killian’s, Dravyn strode forward to the growing throng of people. In the distance, Dravyn saw a wide semicircle of ornate chairs differing vastly in color and theme. People called out to Killian and offered them congratulations on their matebond but, thankfully, didn’t stop to chat. Dravyn wanted to take in the experience, but he was anxious around so many people.
“I hope you don’t find anyone rude,” Killian said quietly. “I asked everyone to give us distance tonight. That is why I am not overwhelming you with the names of the many people we have passed and encouraging them to ask you questions. I want you to be comfortable, and thousands will be gathered tonight.”
Grateful for his kindness, Dravyn smiled. “No, I thank you. They seem kind, but I am rarely around crowds. Even on the days we sell our goods in the village, it is the women in my family who do the bartering. They are most adept at it.”
“Come, we can say hello to some of the other leaders before we begin. I do not know how many of them you recall from our meeting at Castle Draconis.”
Besides being chained in a garden and carefully monitoring how much he allowed his gardening skills to flourishso he was not accused of consorting with a sorcerer, Dravyn had not had much to do in the last century and a half. He had often recalled the fateful day he’d met Killian. With some shame, he admitted it was not always in a positive light. Dravyn was fearful of much, and magick had seemed cruel trickery in his youth.
A somewhat familiar man stood between the two sentinels Dravyn had met that week, but for a moment, he could not place him. Then the man lifted his head, and Dravyn vividly recalled his pewter gaze. Much had changed the inquisitive teenager Dravyn had met so long ago.
Arch Lich Chander Daray had lost the fluffy hair, innocence, and boyish face imprinted on Dravyn’s memory of him. Like Kaedan, Chander wore a thin coronet—only his was jet black and adorned with winged skulls. He was also dressed in a dark cloak from neck to toe.
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure to see you again,” Chander said. “Please thank Her Grace for the delightful pastry. I doubt I have tasted finer.”
“Please call me Dravyn, Arch Lich. I will gladly pass along your words to my sister, she will be most delighted.”
“It’s Chander or Chand. Did Killian explain to you that the sentinels at my side can sense lies? I tell you this not to embarrass you but because I am sick of their bellyaching about listening to a mate lie to his other half. They do not comprehend how it is none of their business, so for the sake of my sanity, could you kindly abstain from saying anything if you do not wish to speak the truth?”
Blinking at the sorcerer’s directness, Dravyn wondered if it was the dragons preying on The Council that had caused Chander’s boldness and the undercurrent of ire in his tone. More likely, it was Dravyn’s foolishness for lying, and he was ashamed of himself. Bowing his head, Dravyn swallowed heavily andstared at the ground. What could he say in return other than an apology?
“Chand, be mindful of what you say,” Killian stated, his jaw clenching.
“Yeah, Chand, what are you thinking? Dravyn does not know you well enough to understand you are always so blunt,” Baxter chastised.
“Do not mind Chand; he cannot help but say what is on his mind,” Benton added.
Chander sighed heavily. “My apologies. I suppose I can only excuse my frankness by explaining that my reputation usually precedes me. It is the pettiness of my sentinels I sought to complain about, not your choice to say whatever you wish.”
“Tonight is a humbling you deserve,” Killian said, laughter in his voice. “Word of the cranky outspoken demonic necromancer has not reached Dravyn’s court. Dravyn probably believed you to be a kindly soul until the moment you opened your mouth this eve.”
“Dravyn, you can do better than Killian,” Chander groused.
Relieved that he had not erred as badly as he feared, Dravyn attempted a smile. “Killian explained tonight, after Baxter left us, about his ability to sense untruths. I will do better in the future if I wish to hide my feelings or opinions.”
“You mean when Baxter took off in a pout because he had to curb his impulse to act like a child and spit out your lie in front of Killian?” Chander asked.
“Let us leave Dravyn to speak to the others and locate his platter so he can return it to Her Grace,” Benton said. “Kaedan has no doubt devoured everything by now.”
As the trio walked off, Killian leaned close to Dravyn. “I hope Chander did not offend. Although I do not wish to make excuses for him, his life has not been easy these past decades.Not only must he contend with the dragons, but his people are also split. Some rightly praise his efforts to lead them well, while the other half accuse him of all manner of nefarious things. I do not know if it is because of the rifts among the necromancers sewn by seeds of his long-dead elders or if his demonic blood is an affront to short-sighted fools, but we have lost count of the attempts on his life. Under his cloak, you will see he is armed. Chander does not even sleep without his daggers within reach, and he has two assassins at the ready.”
Saddened that Chander was at the mercy of dragons and his own people, Dravyn dared squeeze Killian’s warm palm in assurance. “I am sorry for what he has suffered and must continue to endure. He did not offend me. I was taken aback at first, but I understand now. In the future, I will accept his words at face value and not search for phantom insults within his speech.”
“Trust me, if you step out of line with Chand, he will assuredly let you know.”
Dravyn smiled. “Until I escaped Court Ethelin and Court Draconis, I often witnessed people twisting their words to manipulate others. Knowing that Chander speaks truth no matter the consequences…well, I find that a relief.”
“Good, you will find much of The Council is the same way.”
